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Motivating StudentsThere are so many ways to motivate students. There is no single magical formula for motivating students. There are a lot of factors affecting student's motivation to participate in the lesson, to work hard in class, and to learn. As a teacher, I believe it is your responsibility to motivate your students to learn to the best of their ability. Some students seem naturally enthusiastic about learning, but some students do not. Some students need or even expect their instructors to inspire, challenge, and stimulate them. Before you can motivate your students, you should ask yourself ?are you motivated enough to motivate other people?? If you are not motivated, then it will not work. To keep yourself motivated, you should change classroom activities that you are excited about. As a teacher, you should keep yourself motivated. You should try to think about what keep you excited or interested. If you are bored to teach or to work, it will show and your students will sense it. If the teacher is bored and doesn?t make the subject interesting, then the students often won't like the class either. If you?re not excited and motivated about the activities you have planned for your students, then it?s time to come up with new ones. A teacher can motivate students by creating an atmosphere that is open and positive. A teacher?s smile and eye contact create a positive environment. Imagine that you walk into a classroom with a frown face, no student will want to ask you question or want to learn form you. When you're frustrated with your class because the students don't seem interested in participating, you need to keep encouraging and to stay positive. The number one way to demotivate students is to have a negative attitude. If the students do not feel positive, encouraged and good about learning then they will not feel motivated or want to learn. It is a domino effect. If you walk into the classroom with a big smile and show your students that you are happy and ready to teach them lesson, your students will also sense it and want to learn from you. Your students can see that you are ready to teach them something and it is going to be a good and fun class. Happiness is contagious and it will keep your students positive and motivated to learn. Sometimes motivation can be simple like listening to students? ideas or what are they excited about. When you listen to your students, you can use that information to help planning your lesson. When students realize that their teacher listen to their thought, it will simply motivate them to learn. It also makes them feel important that they are being recognized. A teacher can motivate students by giving frequent, early, positive feedback that supports students' beliefs that they can do well. This will help students gain confidence. A teacher should recognize students not only when they are corrected but also when they do well in class or make an improvement. Recognitions reinforce good behavior and hard work. When you show students you appreciate and approve their good behavior and hard work in class, your students will want to do it again. Another way to motivate your students is to plan your lesson accordingly to their level and set realistic expectations for your students. You should set realistic expectations for students when you make assignments, give presentations, conduct discussions, and grade examinations. When your students are able to accomplish their tasks and have good grades, it will motivate them to learn. Unrealistic goals can disappoint and frustrate students and they will not want to learn and participate in the lesson. When students feel that they are able to do well in class and are going to the right direction, they will want to learn. Realistic expectation helps and motivates students to learn more and feel good about it. A teacher can also motivate students by having a good relationship with students. It seems very simple but it works. When your students like you and your lessons, they tend to pay more attention, participate and learn. It is easier to motivate when a teacher and students feel good about each other. It keeps the lesson goes smoothly. Good relationship between a teacher and students can enhance the better learning atmosphere. A teacher usually gains respect from students just because students know that their teacher cares about them and want them t do well in class. A teacher's positive and realistic expectations also have a powerful effect on a student's performance. If you expect your students to be motivated, hardworking, and interested in the course, they are more likely to be so. These are just few things you can do in order to motivate students. There are so many good ways to encourage your students to learn. Motivation encourages students to learn and participate in class. A teacher should always find the ways to motivate students and help them succeed. You just have to take your time to get to know your students and implement what you think will encourage your students to work hard in class. I believe that, as a teacher, you would want your students to learn, understand the lesson well and become successful. It is not an easy task to motivate students and it does take patience to do it. However, it is worth trying just because you care about your students and you want to see them succeed.